Bmw E46 Touring for £350?!
Discussion
So my boss was looking for a economical car and he asked if I knew anyone looking to buy his car. Up to now all I knew was that it was a E46 touring of some sort with very rusty front wings.
Asked him what it is exactly. The answer? A 330i Manual!
So whats up with it? Nothing he tells me, Mot until October and is going to Mot it again for a buyer.
Fairly intrigued I asked him what he wanted for it. Knowing I already have 3 BMW's (my old e46 in bits included), a Range Rover requiring a new engine and a Rolls Royce requiring serious work. Shouldnt of asked what he wanted as I really didnt need it but ive never owned a estate so...
£600 with a fresh Mot. Utter bargain in my eyes - yes the front wings needed replaced and its on 170k miles but its a 330i manual!
Agreed to buy it off him, bearing in mind I was flying out to the US for 3 weeks. Oddly when I got my last e46 I was in the US that time as well. My mums a bit of a legend in dealing with my car addiction.
He gets the windscreen replaced as its cracked so wont pass a Mot, all ready to go he thinks. So in it goes 3 days ago - it fails.
Quite a few items on the fail sheet, the guy is upset as he belived it was a good car. Says he doesnt know what to do and says I can take it away for £350. I agree as the fails its self arent that bad and things I can do at home. Car is due to be dropped off tomorrow.
Front wings will be some duct tape over the sharp edge for now till I find wings in the correct colour on ebay.
A friend is coming to my house this weekend to weld the sill for me ready for when I return from the US. He is also bringing up a code reader from work to see whats up with the SRS light.
Mums going to get a new tyre fitted for me while im away also.
Suspension wise its all past its best, its on 170k miles. Think im going to buy a £250 set of adjustable coilovers as its cheaper than all round springs + shocks.
It mentions the tailgate wont close, boss said one day it just stopped locking, dont quite know whats up really. Shouldnt be bad to fix.
Heres some pictures he sent to me, no the wheels arent gold.
Plans for the car include cheap coilovers as mentioned above, get new wings, sort out some sport seats or buckets (whatever is cheaper really), going to try wire a aux input into the cd changer with a usb socket to charge my phone fitted too.
Really its just make a decent daily driver as my E38 is coming off the road for a respray (learning to spray myself so its a practice shell) and as 8mpg is not sensible for a 20 mile drive to Uni everyday.
Asked him what it is exactly. The answer? A 330i Manual!
So whats up with it? Nothing he tells me, Mot until October and is going to Mot it again for a buyer.
Fairly intrigued I asked him what he wanted for it. Knowing I already have 3 BMW's (my old e46 in bits included), a Range Rover requiring a new engine and a Rolls Royce requiring serious work. Shouldnt of asked what he wanted as I really didnt need it but ive never owned a estate so...
£600 with a fresh Mot. Utter bargain in my eyes - yes the front wings needed replaced and its on 170k miles but its a 330i manual!
Agreed to buy it off him, bearing in mind I was flying out to the US for 3 weeks. Oddly when I got my last e46 I was in the US that time as well. My mums a bit of a legend in dealing with my car addiction.
He gets the windscreen replaced as its cracked so wont pass a Mot, all ready to go he thinks. So in it goes 3 days ago - it fails.
Quite a few items on the fail sheet, the guy is upset as he belived it was a good car. Says he doesnt know what to do and says I can take it away for £350. I agree as the fails its self arent that bad and things I can do at home. Car is due to be dropped off tomorrow.
Front wings will be some duct tape over the sharp edge for now till I find wings in the correct colour on ebay.
A friend is coming to my house this weekend to weld the sill for me ready for when I return from the US. He is also bringing up a code reader from work to see whats up with the SRS light.
Mums going to get a new tyre fitted for me while im away also.
Suspension wise its all past its best, its on 170k miles. Think im going to buy a £250 set of adjustable coilovers as its cheaper than all round springs + shocks.
It mentions the tailgate wont close, boss said one day it just stopped locking, dont quite know whats up really. Shouldnt be bad to fix.
Heres some pictures he sent to me, no the wheels arent gold.
Plans for the car include cheap coilovers as mentioned above, get new wings, sort out some sport seats or buckets (whatever is cheaper really), going to try wire a aux input into the cd changer with a usb socket to charge my phone fitted too.
Really its just make a decent daily driver as my E38 is coming off the road for a respray (learning to spray myself so its a practice shell) and as 8mpg is not sensible for a 20 mile drive to Uni everyday.
Slow said:
I already have 3 BMW's (my old e46 in bits included), a Range Rover requiring a new engine and a Rolls Royce requiring serious work.
Love the fact that you can accumulate such a large collection of dross and still live with your mother! She must have the patience of a saint - I know mine would have kicked me around the walls if I was sponging from her and throwing money away on wrecks.To give you a bit of a leg-up, and hopefully make sure this one is more of a bargain than some of your previous money-pits.
- Unpainted pattern wings are available for £40 or so on Ebay, or you could hold on for someone to be breaking the right coloured saloon/estate (interchangeable wings). Replacing them is a 15min job, as they are only bolted on.
- Front seats from the Sport models (saloon or estate) are a straight swap, and are loads better than the SE 'park bench' kit.
- Aux inputs are cheap and easily fitted. Get in touch with this guy (www.fruitycarcables.co.uk) and work out exactly which one you need (assume you have "Business" cassette and changer without Harmon Karden).
These are really cushy to drive. I've got one too 
Be it mine is on far less miles.. (aka it's only got to 87k recently) - see here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Would suggest going with powerflex bushes as they're a doddle to fit in the front lolipops and the RTA bushes, which by that stage are probably completely toast. Z4 shifter conversion with a ZHP or Stormwerks gear knob make the shifter far nicer too
5 or 6 speed manual by the way?
Be it mine is on far less miles.. (aka it's only got to 87k recently) - see here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...Would suggest going with powerflex bushes as they're a doddle to fit in the front lolipops and the RTA bushes, which by that stage are probably completely toast. Z4 shifter conversion with a ZHP or Stormwerks gear knob make the shifter far nicer too
5 or 6 speed manual by the way?
C70R said:
Love the fact that you can accumulate such a large collection of dross and still live with your mother! She must have the patience of a saint - I know mine would have kicked me around the walls if I was sponging from her and throwing money away on wrecks.
To give you a bit of a leg-up, and hopefully make sure this one is more of a bargain than some of your previous money-pits.
I know I can buy unpainted wings for £40 each, had a pair ready for my old E46 before the engine let go. Would rather buy a used set in the correct colour if I can to get a better match in my eyes.To give you a bit of a leg-up, and hopefully make sure this one is more of a bargain than some of your previous money-pits.
- Unpainted pattern wings are available for £40 or so on Ebay, or you could hold on for someone to be breaking the right coloured saloon/estate (interchangeable wings). Replacing them is a 15min job, as they are only bolted on.
- Front seats from the Sport models (saloon or estate) are a straight swap, and are loads better than the SE 'park bench' kit.
- Aux inputs are cheap and easily fitted. Get in touch with this guy (www.fruitycarcables.co.uk) and work out exactly which one you need (assume you have "Business" cassette and changer without Harmon Karden).
I know the seats are a straight swap, only problem is finding a full interior without damage for a good price. If not I think a nice set of cloth bucket seats will semi match the interior.
Aux inputs are easy in post 2002 radios, believe its just a cable into the back. With the pre 2002 you need to splice into the cd changer wiring.
About the comment in regards to me "sponging", we live on a old farm with quite abit of land so they dont take up much space. I worked for her business for a year, lived in my own flat for a year and moved home as I am starting Uni in September.
bmthnick1981 said:
How the hell is your e38 doing 8mpg? My V12 e38s did 14-15 mpg round town easily!
My commute to work is about 5 miles of single track lanes with hairpin bends and often have to reverse too. The mpg obviously improves on a run but even just driving to town is 10 miles of single track lanes. The gearbox is playing up wont change up from 3rd unless its cruising for 15 seconds or so without any acceleration which is hard to do on single track lanes._Nathan_ said:
The tailgate not locking could be a problem with cut wires need the hinge
Remove the rubber boot covering the wires - I saw a cab where are the wire were cut on a sharp ledge inside
Bit of electrical tape..
Cheers for the info, will check it out when I get home from the US.Remove the rubber boot covering the wires - I saw a cab where are the wire were cut on a sharp ledge inside
Bit of electrical tape..
Some of the negative comments above... *facepalm*.
I assumed from the growing collection that the OP must live on a farm or somewhere with a bit of land.
The lad is clearly an enthusiast getting into restoration and keeping some increasingly desirable metal on the road. Does every thread on here have to descend into sniping and one-upmanship?
Good luck with the project!
I assumed from the growing collection that the OP must live on a farm or somewhere with a bit of land.
The lad is clearly an enthusiast getting into restoration and keeping some increasingly desirable metal on the road. Does every thread on here have to descend into sniping and one-upmanship?
Good luck with the project!
Slow said:
Aux inputs are easy in post 2002 radios, believe its just a cable into the back. With the pre 2002 you need to splice into the cd changer wiring.
The link I sent you will sell you an aux cable that plugs straight in the back in place of the CD changer. I know, because I fitted one to my 2002 and I've now got one on my 2001 model.No need for cutting or splicing, just plug and play (and leave a CD in the changer to fool it).
C70R said:
Slow said:
Aux inputs are easy in post 2002 radios, believe its just a cable into the back. With the pre 2002 you need to splice into the cd changer wiring.
The link I sent you will sell you an aux cable that plugs straight in the back in place of the CD changer. I know, because I fitted one to my 2002 and I've now got one on my 2001 model.No need for cutting or splicing, just plug and play (and leave a CD in the changer to fool it).
Ordered up some coilovers and adjustable rear camber arms off ebay. £250 for the lot delivered which is cheaper than buying new springs + shocks all round.
Wow.Jeezus that's a dog of a car.
Be warned that these engines do drink oil quite a bit, and guzzle it when the breather system is shot. £200 or so of parts from BMW should mean it'll breath easier and not suck down oil.
Swapping from 0w30 to 5w40 also reduces the consumption (both recommended oil grades so won't lunch the engine).
Good luck!
Be warned that these engines do drink oil quite a bit, and guzzle it when the breather system is shot. £200 or so of parts from BMW should mean it'll breath easier and not suck down oil.
Swapping from 0w30 to 5w40 also reduces the consumption (both recommended oil grades so won't lunch the engine).
Good luck!
Wow those front wings! Still looks like a bargain to me though and at least you know its original so it's not been pranged.
Boot definitely out of line but unless it's rotted at the hinge must be an easy fix?
If it were mine I'd be looking for a full interior from a scrapper, that looks filthy but not sure buckets would look right.
Boot definitely out of line but unless it's rotted at the hinge must be an easy fix?
If it were mine I'd be looking for a full interior from a scrapper, that looks filthy but not sure buckets would look right.
I imagine he has tried slam the boot on something and it's pushed the hinge out of alignment but won't know till I see it myself. Luckily I have a steering wheel + gear knob sat on my other car which is in a much better condition.
I was thinking a cloth alcantra type buckets, i don't ever go in the back of my car to worry about the rear seats.
I was thinking a cloth alcantra type buckets, i don't ever go in the back of my car to worry about the rear seats.
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